2/14/2022
Well, it has been a slow startup, buried in work and not balancing my personal life very well, awareness returned on this Valentine's Day. The love of my life, Rachel has always supported my hiking. As a nurse, Rachel has witnessed and worked directly with Dementia and Alzheimer's patients. She shares the important message of mental health awareness is supportive of my fundraising for this cause. I invite all to contribute to the awareness through donation.
TRAIL UPDATES:
I MADE IT! Completed the Arizona Trail! 803 miles! November 11th(Veterans Day)
April 2021 NOBO Mexico to Lake Roosevelt.
April 2022 NOBO Lake Roosevelt to Flagstaff.
November 2022 SOBO Utah to Flagstaff.
The night skies, Grand Canyon, Mazaztals, Superstitions, Sabino Canyon, Rincons, Mica Mountain, Huachucas, Miller Peak all were highlights. The AZT trail angels are awesome! Dangerously high spring temps with limited natural water sources TA’s supplied water at many trailheads-never totally depend on these though. Favorite trail town-Kearney. Got my trail name there at Old Time Pizza. I loved meeting other hikers, Nero and zeros in town.
- 2/14/2022 Starting trail preparations this week.
- Reviewing current gear
- Changed hiking shoes from Altra Timps to Hoka Stinson ATR
- 3/20/2022
- Upgraded sleeping bag to REI Magna 15- cut weight from 3lbs to 1 lb 14 oz
- Determined resupply points
- Mile 345 START @ Roosevelt Lake Marina
- Mile 460 @ Pine AZ
- Mile 570 @ Flagstaff, AZ
- Mile 687 @ Grand Canyon South Rim
- Mile 761 @ Jacob Lake, AZ
- Looks like 16-mile days on average to finish in 4 weeks- I May have to increase the pace to end in just over 3 weeks, however!
- 8/4/2022
- I stepped out onto the trail on April 3rd, picking back up where I left off in Spring 2021.
- The Mazatzal Wilderness was physically demanding. Elevation, lack of trail legs, and a heavy pack made the first several days a little grueling. Undaunted, and knowing the mini boot camp would benefit my stamina I pushed on to Pine, AZ.
- Mentally I was challenged and while I did film, photograph, and journal I never produced YouTube VLOGS.
- Workplace anxiety and unrealistic expectations took over my thoughts intermittently. Instead of nature’s healing effect reducing stress, I was hindered by not taking the stand for my own integrity-the stress can be overwhelming!
- After leaving Pine, AZ I learned of my Fathers passing on. Emotions flooded again of a different variety from anger to loneliness & sadness.
- Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ I left the Arizona Trail and headed home after only 2 weeks on the trail.
- I spent the time reflecting on my childhood, and my Father's passions, and recognizing all his unique idiosyncrasies. He never fully loved anyone or anything. Vietnam War stole something from him he never could get back and he was completely unaware. I loved him though.
- TODAY, I plan to return to the AZT to complete the 800-mile journey which will always be speckled with pain, triumph, euphoria, and friendship among the other hikers I shared the trail with.
- NOVEMBER 1st I plan to resume the trial. The cold nights and short days will be a major contrast to the desert terrain of the spring.
- LIFE GOES ON: We must persevere and find purpose in our weaknesses as well as our strengths!
10/14/2022
Heading back out to complete my 800-mile journey. Adversity does build character to strengthen our resolve. I will fly into Page, AZ on 10/28 and travel SOBO to Flagstaff.
Shorter days and cold nights will be the theme for Northern AZ. Average highs of about 84F with average lows of 40F.
- 10/28/2022 Flying out to Page, AZ.
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- Saturday start SOUTHBOUND From Utah to finish up in Flagstaff, AZ
- Find Me on the Trail MAP SHARE from my Garmin Satelite tracker over the next few weeks!
- https://share.garmin.com/BeardedFrog
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuuEDZcLEk3_XXsIh4AlYHQ
- 10/29/2022. Made it to thee Utah/Arizona border & trailhead
- 11/4/ 2022 climbed up South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Taking Saturday to Grand Canyon Village.
- 11/5/2022 back to rail head to Flagstaff.
I MADE IT!!!!! I have hiked the entire AZT!
HIKE for Mental Health is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on the vision of a world in which everyone, including those who suffer mental illness, can find the simple joy of living.
Our business promotes positivity, creativity and is happy to contribute to this important mental health awareness campaign. Happy Trails!
Matt this is so awesome what you are doing. We need more people like you to step up and do something like this. Thank you!!
Go get um tiger!
Keep it going Matt!
Matt … wish I was with you. Be safe, hope to see you soon
Dude! 800 miles of a trail, beauty, plant diversity, geological wonder, sometimes long water Carry’s, questionable water quality, cold nights, blazing hot days with long afternoon siestas, trail angels, and just amazing trail towns and community. Thank you AZT organization for all of these! Trail name: Bearded Frog bestowed upon me in Kearny while eating pizza at Old Time Pizza in April 2021.